Newcastle Public School seeks grant to replace closed playground

CLARINGTON -- The children at Newcastle Public School can't use the school's playground but parents are working to get the students new, inclusive equipment.

"We think it's key for their mental state, running off energy and being able to focus on learning," said Amanda Sweetland, who has two young daughters attending Newcastle Public School. "We want the best for our kids."

A health and safety inspection closed both junior and senior parks before school opened to students in September. Only the kindergarten playground remains usable.

The junior park has burn marks and the senior park has rusted platforms and bent, wide-set, railing bars. The playgrounds are approximately 15 years old. For the past four years, there have been minor upgrades and maintenance but much of the equipment is at the end of its usefulness or doesn't meet updated safety regulations.

Ms. Sweetland said the perfect new playground would meet the needs of all the children at the school -- including the approximately 50 children with special needs. The vision includes a "cocoon" for children with autism who want a quiet space, a brightly-coloured surface (for visually-impaired children) that is wheelchair accessible and safe for children who use canes or crutches.

"We're trying to focus on making it accessible," said Ms. Sweetland, who said that the only accessible playground she knows of in Clarington is one in the planning stages in Courtice. "That's a big gap."

The price estimate for the new playground is $230,000. The Newcastle group is hoping to get the cost down to $200,000, or less, by repairing sections and selling the metal and pea stone from the existing park.

The school council has given $5,000 to the project. The new playground is also in the running for a $100,000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund. The insurance company runs an annual competition and will fund up to $150,000 for a community project. The project is currently in the 27th spot and is gathering more supporters every day.

"We are very community oriented. It's a very close-knit school with just under 600 students. The teachers are amazing," said Ms. Sweetland. "So many people care."

Newcastle Public School needs online votes by noon on Monday, Nov. 26 to make it to the next round of selections. To help, visit www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf14908, register with an e-mail address and vote every day.